Tina's Tots-Dolls
Life-like Dolls of Distinction
This week, I lost my best friend of 50 years. She has been there for me through good times and bad, through skinned knees and broken hearts. When my son died 2 and a half years ago, she tucked me into her bed beside her and patted me through the night as I sobbed as only a heartbroken mother can.
She has been there to cheer me on when I wanted to pursue crazy dreams like a doll making business and followed me to numerous craft fairs and doll shows. Dragging suitcases, setting up tables, creating the perfect display for my dolls, and practically tripping people when they walked by to get them to stop and see "our" dolls!
She has been there for me through my disappointments, jobs that didn't work out, cooking disasters, sewing disasters, we hugged and she smiled and still told me "you can do it Tina!"
Even when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in May of 2010, she barely slowed down. Her love of Wendy's Frosty's and her strong belief in the joy of life, kept her going. She always tried to see the positive even when she felt the grip of cancer beginning to tighten upon her. She continued to be a giving loving person as used her gifts to help and encourage others. Even when she wasn't feeling well, she would sew for me and the dolls, she would make cute hard scarves for the other cancer patients and collar scarves for the puppies at the animal shelter. At Christmas, she dressed up like Mrs. Claus and made an Santa Claws outfit for her precious kitty and off they went to visit the nursing home residents. She always told me, "I may have cancer, but at least I am still able to get out and live in my own home." She truly counted her blessings.
I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she loved and believed in me and was always so proud of me. She gave me my independent spirit, my courage and the stubborn fortitude to get through any crisis. Now I am trying to pull on that strength to get through losing my best friend, my mother . . . In memory of Lenora Vowell, my doll loving buddy, seamstress, cheerleader and best friend. She passed away on the birthday of my son and I realized later what a blessing it was that my son now his grandmother to celebrate his birthday with in heaven.
I miss them both so much but know that they are having a great time in heaven and now i have two guardian angels looking over me.
I love you Mom!
Tina McCulloch